Raw Oysters-Where and When to Buy

I've been wanting to do some oysters on a the half shell as an appetizer lately. Sadly I don't know when are the good months to buy them, and more importantly where to get them in Chicago. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Any month with an R in it.
Dirk's on Clybourn.

A great source is The Fish Guy, www.fishguy.com

The Fish Guy
4423 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 283-8422

annieb wrote:Any month with an R in it.
Dirk's on Clybourn.

Hey annieb, how the heck are you?

I've used the Rule of R for buying oysters, but I wonder if it isn't a throwback to the days before Refrigeration. Does it still apply? Not sure.

David Hammond wrote:I've used the Rule of R for buying oysters, but I wonder if it isn't a throwback to the days before Refrigeration. Does it still apply? Not sure.

It really depends on your taste. Oysters spawn in the warmer months. During this time, a spawning oyster will have a different taste, and afterwards will seem thin and watery. They are no less safe to eat during the summer, they are just "different".

Keep in mind that if you live somewhere that might possibly get oysters from the southern hemisphere (which can happen in Southern California), then the months are reversed (so no "R" rule). Also, different bodies of water will have different spawning timelines (Gulf of Mexico vs Northern Atlantic can be very different).

Ask your fishmonger about where he's getting his oysters from and what he thinks the peak time for consumption are.

Best,
Michael

Try Issacson and Stein at 900 W. Fulton. They often have several varities by the case.

annieb wrote:Any month with an R in it.
Dirk's on Clybourn.

Unfortunately, the "R month" is a myth when it comes to Oysters and safety. Check out

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/vvmyth.html

Muttster wrote:

annieb wrote:Any month with an R in it.
Dirk's on Clybourn.

Unfortunately, the "R month" is a myth when it comes to Oysters and safety. Check out

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/vvmyth.html

The R month doesn't have anything to do with safety, it has to do with spawning. Spawning allows for the best regeneration of oysters.

Months with an R in them:

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Allowing for spawning periods of May, June, July and August.

I wish that FDA article would explain that the presence of bad oysters isn't quite as common as they would have you believe. I've had hundreds, possibly even thousands of oysters in my lifetime and have yet to get sick, knock on wood.

jpschust wrote:

Muttster wrote:

annieb wrote:Any month with an R in it.
Dirk's on Clybourn.

Unfortunately, the "R month" is a myth when it comes to Oysters and safety. Check out

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/vvmyth.html

The R month doesn't have anything to do with safety, it has to do with spawning. Spawning allows for the best regeneration of oysters.

Months with an R in them:

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Allowing for spawning periods of May, June, July and August.

I wish that FDA article would explain that the presence of bad oysters isn't quite as common as they would have you believe. I've had hundreds, possibly even thousands of oysters in my lifetime and have yet to get sick, knock on wood.

The point that i was trying to make is that many people think that oysters are safest to eat on the "R"" months and that this is not really the case. I would suspect that most people don't know or care that Oysters spawn in the summer months.

I have eaten hundreds of oysters as well and don't lose any sleep over getting sick from oysters. I'm more concerned about poor handling of oysters in stores than my chances of getting sick from eating a raw oyster.